Buying Advice Walk behind 36"-44"

[jay stortini]

Finally decided what rout I am going to take for equipment for the upcoming year
Going to purchase a new walk behind 36"-44"
And I am looking for recommendations or advice on what's great for quality cut affordability and ease of use.
All recommendations and advice wanted!!
Thanks

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[Ric]

Finally decided what rout I am going to take for equipment for the upcoming year
Going to purchase a new walk behind 36"-44"
And I am looking for recommendations or advice on what's great for quality cut affordability and ease of use.
All recommendations and advice wanted!!
Thanks

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You going or looking for the Belt drive or the Hydro's?

 

[jay stortini]

You going or looking for the Belt drive or the Hydro's?

Not sure maybe you can let me in on the pros and cons of each going into my second year after a successful first year but still on a budget. Would like something I could maybe ad a sulky to.
Thanks

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[clpolcar]

If you want to use a sulky I would definitely go with a hydro. If not you might go through belts a lot. I was in the same boat as you were. First started out with a 1998 33 cub cadet walk behind. Then I sold that and bought a used lesco belt drive 36. Love that thing. I will never sell it. Its so simple and will run forever as long as you do normal stuff. After that year I bought a cub cadet hydro 48. I loved the drive system on it. Not so much the cut. For this year I am going to be buying a zero turn. I just got rid of the hydro walk behind. Still have the lesco belt. Now for the differences. I would say belt is good for wet conditions like a lot of rain and you need to cut. A hydro will not stop and the tires will keep spinning. The hydros are less forgiving then the belt drives. Personally I would get a good belt drive. Like a SCAG or exmark. Get something with a floating deck. I know a few years ago you could get the scag 36 with floating deck for under 4000 in a belt drive. Belt drives are also going to be a heck of a lot cheaper to maintain and even buy in the first place. Hope this has helped.

 

[jay stortini]

If you want to use a sulky I would definitely go with a hydro. If not you might go through belts a lot. I was in the same boat as you were. First started out with a 1998 33 cub cadet walk behind. Then I sold that and bought a used lesco belt drive 36. Love that thing. I will never sell it. Its so simple and will run forever as long as you do normal stuff. After that year I bought a cub cadet hydro 48. I loved the drive system on it. Not so much the cut. For this year I am going to be buying a zero turn. I just got rid of the hydro walk behind. Still have the lesco belt. Now for the differences. I would say belt is good for wet conditions like a lot of rain and you need to cut. A hydro will not stop and the tires will keep spinning. The hydros are less forgiving then the belt drives. Personally I would get a good belt drive. Like a SCAG or exmark. Get something with a floating deck. I know a few years ago you could get the scag 36 with floating deck for under 4000 in a belt drive. Belt drives are also going to be a heck of a lot cheaper to maintain and even buy in the first place. Hope this has helped.

Sweet thanks for the advice think I will prob be best suited for belt drive at this point.

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[Ric]

Sweet thanks for the advice think I will prob be best suited for belt drive at this point.

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If your going to use a sulky you definitely need to go with a hydro's. The Thing is and I don't want to sound like I'm pushing Toro but if your going to buy new and spend the money on a Hydro walk behind I'd spend a little more and get the best of all worlds and buy the Toro 36" or 48" Grandstand. You get the advantage of a ZTR, a Stander and a walk behind all rolled into one. You use the pump and wheel motors which are a lot better and quicker response and the machine is faster and more maneuverable than a ztr and a walk behind when you need it. By the time you buy the Hydro walk behind and sulky the price difference isn't that much. I've been that whole gambit buying the ZTR's, the walk-behinds and push mowers and spent all kinds of money on mowers but after the last two years using the GS can tell you this, if I was a business just starting out knowing what I know now there would be nothing on my trailer but Grandstands, your productivity will be twice that of a walk-behind or ztr.

 

[jay stortini]

If your going to use a sulky you definitely need to go with a hydro's. The Thing is and I don't want to sound like I'm pushing Toro but if your going to buy new and spend the money on a Hydro walk behind I'd spend a little more and get the best of all worlds and buy the Toro 36" or 48" Grandstand. You get the advantage of a ZTR, a Stander and a walk behind all rolled into one. You use the pump and wheel motors which are a lot better and quicker response and the machine is faster and more maneuverable than a ztr and a walk behind when you need it. By the time you buy the Hydro walk behind and sulky the price difference isn't that much. I've been that whole gambit buying the ZTR's, the walk-behinds and push mowers and spent all kinds of money on mowers but after the last two years using the GS can tell you this, if I was a business just starting out knowing what I know now there would be nothing on my trailer but Grandstands, your productivity will be twice that of a walk-behind or ztr.

Hey Ric I want this mower mower big time did not think I would be able to get it but was just approved for $8000 yard card so now I can get it if I want really did not want to get that kind of credit but what you say makes sense. And I watched the video I love it thinking the 36"
And what do you think I should pay for this machine total?

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[clpolcar]

Hey Ric I want this mower mower big time did not think I would be able to get it but was just approved for $8000 yard card so now I can get it if I want really did not want to get that kind of credit but what you say makes sense. And I watched the video I love it thinking the 36"
And what do you think I should pay for this machine total?
I wou
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I would look at SCAG. I test drove the v ride. I almost bought a toro zrt but ended up buying a ferris. Much better quality and all around better. SCAG is going to be a better machine and the have a fleet price going on. I think the 36 in under 7000 and the 48 is around 7500. K would get the SCAG over toro

 

[Ric]

Hey Ric I want this mower mower big time did not think I would be able to get it but was just approved for $8000 yard card so now I can get it if I want really did not want to get that kind of credit but what you say makes sense. And I watched the video I love it thinking the 36"
And what do you think I should pay for this machine total?

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The MSRP from Toro for the 36" goes for as high as $8388 and most places are getting $7400 to $7549 for there starting price.. It's really going to depend on your location and the dealer. A friend of mine here in Tampa just purchased one last Tuesday for $6800 out the door which is what I paid for mine and even buying it at 6800 they still made money so they have a lot of room to deal. The nice thing about the Grandstand is the fact it has a Lifetime Frame warranty and a 5 year 1200 Hour warranty which can't be beat and Toro stands behind there stuff. The spindles and front wheels are sealed bearings so there's no maintenance required. The only things to grease are the pivot points that raises and lowers the deck. You'll be real happy with the 36" the machine is faster and more maneuverable than a ztr and a walk behind when you need it's the best of all worlds.

 

[clpolcar]

If your going to get a stander get a wright. They will put any other stander to shame.